500 QUESTIONS - "101" - It is the ultimate test, where intellect, strategy and stamina are all equally essential in order to win. The innovative "genius game show," hosted by CNN's Richard Quest ("Quest Means Business"), premieres WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m.), on the ABC Television Network. On the premiere episode, "101," an attorney and a neuroscientist face off in this intense test of knowledge, where the toughest question of all is, can either of them answer 500 questions. (ABC/Ron Tom)
RICHARD QUEST, DAN MCCARTHY
ABC has renewed game show series “500 Questions” for a second season, the network announced Thursday.
The series from executive producers Mark Burnett and Mike Darnell will return in 2016. The first season aired in May as a multi-night primetime event.
“When we created ‘500 Questions,’ our hope was to bring the event game show back to primetime,” Darnell said in a statement. “Thanks to ABC, we had a great summer run and achieved that goal. We are excited that the show is coming back for a second season.”
“I am so glad we are back; I love this game show event. To win, these geniuses need both brains and endurance as they tackle television’s toughest questions,” said Burnett.
“500 Questions” challenges contestants to answer the 500 most difficult general knowledge questions ever devised without getting three wrong in a row. Richard Quest served as host.
Mark Burnett and Phil Parsons are the executive producers. Ed Egan is the co-executive producer. The show was created by Mike Darnell and Mark Burnett. It is produced by United Artists Media Group in association with Warner Horizon Television.
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SURVIVOR Now in its 30th season, viewers have tuned in to the reality game show in droves since 2000 to watch ordinary people physically, mentally and strategically duel with each other in order to win $1 million and the title of Sole Survivor.
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AMERICAN IDOL The first televised competition show to let viewers vote on the talent themselves, "Idol" may no longer be a ratings juggernaut, but it still proves exciting.
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THE BACHELOR Though the actual long-term success rate remains shockingly low, viewers do seem to love the idea of "the bachelor" selecting from a pool of beautiful women in order to find a wife.
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PROJECT RUNWAY Even viewers not into fashion can understand this show's appeal: a reality competition that requires its contestants to actually make something to prove they deserve to win.
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REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY The originator of the "Real Housewives" brand, "RHOC" showed viewers that being rich doesn't spare people messed-up lives; oftentimes, it actually makes those messes worse.
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JON AND KATE PLUS 8 Viewers tuned in to get a glimpse of how an exceptionally large family operates, but they stayed once Jon and Kate decided to divorce.
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JERSEY SHORE The housemates show earned record ratings for MTV, due in large part to controversy of how Italian-Americans on the East Coast were portrayed.
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THE OSBOURNES At one time MTV's highest rated show, it offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a rock legend and his family. Viewers also tuned in to see if Ozzy was ever not stoned. (He wasn't.)
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AMAZING RACE Combining a physical reality competition with exotic locales most viewers will never get a chance to see continues to prove a winning formula.
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BIG BROTHER If you throw a number of volatile personalities into a room together, you can bet people will tune in to watch the explosions.
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RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE If Tyra Banks could find the world's next supermodel, why can't RuPaul do the same for drag queens?
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AMERICAN CHOPPER Centered on the Teutel family and their shop, the series showcased contrasting styles and verbal arguments between Paul Sr. and his son. Arguments drove ratings until Junior's dismissal from the show.
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TOP CHEF Fans of good food love this competition show about aspiring chefs cooking their way to the prize money awarded to the winner.
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HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO Described as both offensive and exploitative, this spinoff of "Toddlers & Tiaras" instantly became must-see-TV and made its 6-year-old star a cultural lightning rod.
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JACKASS Who wouldn't want to watch a group of friends torture and humiliate each other? Such is the appeal of "Jackass," which spawned three (and a half) movies and an acting career for Johnny Knoxville.
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